School holidays, Christmas, and family time go hand in hand during the summer season. Here are some great events for family bonding because the best gift you can give your kids is the gift of an experience.

TAAL MONUMENT PICNICS

The Taal Monument is hosting a range of sunset picnics this summer. Bring your own picnic (or order one from Volksmond Coffee Shop), pack a torch and something warm to wear, and experience a night tour of the monument with a variety of entertainment.

Full Moon picnics

Enjoy a lazy picnic under the full moon overlooking Paarl’s night lights.

• When: 3 January 2015, 6 February 2015, 7 March 2015
• Times: 17:00 – 22:00. Guided tour at 18:30 and 19:30
• Cost: R20 per adult, R10 per student, R5 per child under 6

Stargazing Picnics

Marvel at the night sky with the Oog and their telescopes.

• When: 17 January 2015, 21 February 2015, 21 March 2015
• Times: 18:00. Guided tour at 18:30. Stargazing from 20:00 – 22:30
• Cost: R30 per adult, R10 per child

New Year’s Eve Picnic

Enjoy panoramic views, and watch the firing of a canon as you’re rocked into 2015. Tickets will be available at the gate.

• When: 31 December 2014
• Times: 19:00 – 00:30. Cannon fires at 0:00
• Cost: R30 per adult, R10 under 13

More information

• Picnic baskets are available from Volksmond Coffee Shop and cost between R45 – R170. Book a picnic: +27 (0)21 863 2800
• Tickets available from Computicket
• Don’t miss the picnic concerts with The Rockets, Bobby Van Jaarsveld, and Karen Zoid in January 2015!

11 Pastorie Avenue, Paarl | +27 (0)21 863 0543/4809 | [email protected]

TABLE MOUNTAIN SPECIALS

Christmas at the Cableway

Meet Father Christmas and his Christmas fairies at the Table Mountain Cableway on 24 and 25 December. Other fun characters will entertain the kids from 26 December – 4 January with games, puppet shows, face painting, glitter tattoos, and magic shows.

• When: 24 December 2014 – 4 January 2015
• Time: 08:00 – 21:00
• Cost: R250 per adult, R110 per child for morning tickets (08:00 – 12:00), R225 per adult and R110 per child for afternoon tickets (after 13:00)

Tafelberg Road, CBD | +27 (0)21 424 8181 | [email protected]

Table Mountain Sunset Special

Experience the longer summer days with a glass of bubbly at the top of Table Mountain. South Africans have no excuse now – the tickets are half price!

• When: 1 November – 19 December 2014, 8 January – 28 February 2015
• Time: 18:00 onwards
• Cost: R112.50 per adult, R55 per child 4 – 17 years

Tafelberg Road, CBD | +27 (0)21 424 8181 | [email protected]

EXCITEMENT AT THE V&A

Art Brick Lego Exhibition

See 76 giant figurines built out of tiny pieces of Lego at the Art Brick Lego Exhibition at the V&A Waterfront. The 1000m² walk-through display will feature everything from an 80,000 brick T-Rex skeleton to Lego replicas of the Mona Lisa. An interaction zone will have PlayStations, Lego building stations, Art of the Brick merchandise, and a refreshment kiosk.

• When: 12 December 2014 – 28 February 2015
• Time: Monday to Thursday, 14:00 – 19:00, Friday to Sunday: 09:00 – 19:00
• Cost: R140 per adult, R95 per child under 18, R399 per family of 4. Tickets available from Computicket.

Watershed Building, V&A Waterfront, CBD | +27 (0)83 651 8430 |  [email protected]

CONCERTS AND MOVIES

Galileo Open Air Concerts

Watch an open air movie with the family at the Galileo Open Air Cinema at Kirstenbosch Gardens, the V&A Waterfront, or Hillcrest Quarry.

• When: 11 December 2014 – 23 April 2015
• Time: Times vary per show. Check what’s showing.
• Cost: R70 per person, R79 per person (includes a blanket), R88 per person (includes a chair), and R95 per person (includes a blanket and chair).

Newlands, V&A Waterfront or Durbanville | +27 (0)71 471 8728 | [email protected]

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

Don’t miss the exciting line up for the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts. Look forward to acts like Mango Groove, Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Jimmy Nevis, Jeremy Loops, Goldfish, and Passenger!

• When: 23 November 2014 – 5 April 2015
• Time: 17:30 – 19:00. Gates open at 16:00
• Cost: R75 – R160 per adult, R75 – R140 per child (6 – 12 years), free for children under 6, R310 for New Year’s concert, R365 for Passenger. Tickets available from Webtickets.

Kirstenbosch Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands | +27 (0)21 799 8783 | [email protected]

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Carols by Candlelight at Vergelegen

Enjoy Christmas carols in the beautiful gardens of Vergelegen Estate.

• When: 17 December 2014
• Time: 19:30. Gates open at 17:00
• Cost: R60 per adult, R20 per child. Tickets available from Computicket

Vergelegen Wine Estate, Lourensford Road, Somerset West | +27 (0)21 852 4608

Kirstenbosch Christmas Carols

Bring your Coca-Cola bottle candles and picnic, and enjoy a beautiful summer’s evening swaying to Christmas carols at Kirstenbosch Gardens. The evening promises the soft sounds of the Cape Town Brass and Cape Town Male Voice Choir. Entrance fee includes a glow stick and song sheet.

• When: 18 – 21 December 2014
• Time: 20:00 – 21:30. Gates open at 17:00
• Cost: 18 December: R80 per adult, R55 per child (6 – 18 years), R15 per child under 5, and free for children under 2.

19, 20, 21 December: R90 per adult, R65 per child (6 – 18 years), R20 per child under 5, and free for children under 2. Tickets available from Webtickets.

Kirstenbosch Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands | +27 (0)83 270 9286 | [email protected]

Christmas Carols and Joy at Oude Libertas

Christmas carols at Oude Libertas promises a picnic on the lawns with the Cape Town Festival Orchestra, Richard Cock, and the Wynland Choir.

• When: 20 – 21 December 2014
• Time: 19:00 – 21:00
• Cost: R160 – R180 depending on stalls. Tickets available from Computicket

Oude Libertas, Adam Tas Road, Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 809 7473/7380 | [email protected]

V&A Waterfront Carols by Candlelight

The V&A Carols by Candlelight begins with a vocal group, live band, and nativity scene, and ends with a rock ‘n roll melody sung by Father Christmas.

• When: 20 – 21 December 2014
• Time: 18:00
• Cost: Free

V&A Waterfront amphitheatre, CBD | +27 (0)21 408 7600 |  [email protected]

What events are you looking forward to this summer?